In the State of Alaska, there are several scholarship and grant programs you can use to lower the cost of your education.
Grants and scholarships are a way for students to receive financial aid without having to pay it back. Awards offered by the State are typically given out based on merit or need, but students are usually asked to submit an application for federal financial aid in order to be eligible for state funding.
For this reason, the first step to receiving financial aid for your education is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can find more information about how to apply by visiting the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education. It’s important to note that this is a federal program.
After completing the FAFSA, you can research scholarships offered by the State of Alaska. The primary institution that offers awards is the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education in collaboration with the Alaska Student Loan Corporation. In addition to offering financial educational tools for students, the commission offers various need-based and merit scholarships and grants.
We’ve compiled some useful resources and links to help you find scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs in the State of Alaska that fit your profile.
Alaska Scholarship Programs
The following resources have been compiled from Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to serve as examples of what scholarships are available. Remember to always read the fine print and note eligibility criteria (e.g., must be a resident of Alaska, must reside in Anchorage, etc.) and whether a prize is renewable.
The Alaska Performance Scholarship
The APS provides an opportunity for Alaska high school students to earn a scholarship to help cover the cost of an Alaska postsecondary education (e.g. University of Alaska).
Eligibility requirements for APS include:
- Alaska residents who graduate from an Alaska high school (college incoming freshman from public, private, or home school);
- Take a rigorous curriculum,
- Earn minimum of 2.5 GPA;
- Meet qualifying score on college/career entrance exam
The APS can be used at any participating college or university in Alaska to pursue a degree, or for approved career and technical education programs in the state.
Alaska residents who graduate from an Alaska high school (public, private, or home school), in 2011 or later and meet the qualifying requirements are eligible for an APS award.
Alaska Grant Programs
The State of Alaska offers a needs-based grant program for students who have filed a FAFSA. You can learn more about the program by visiting the Alaska Education Grant webpage. However, here are some important details for you to know, taken directly from their website:
Alaska Education Grant
The Alaska legislature created the Alaska Education Grant (AEG) program to provide financial assistance to eligible students from Alaska who demonstrate financial need and are attending qualifying postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska (e.g., the University of Alaska). The grant is funded through the Alaska Higher Education Investment Fund, a source of long-term funding for the AEG program.
To receive the maximum award, qualifying students must be enrolled in at least 15 credit hours for “On Time” enrollment status. Students with the highest financial need will be awarded in order of need until funds are exhausted.
A student may not receive more that a total of $16,000 in AEG award money over the course of their undergraduate education.
Other Awards and Aid
For students interested in exchange programs, the State of Alaska offers opportunities to promote both undergraduate and graduate studies outside of the state. Here are two programs offered:
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
WUE provides low-cost opportunities for Alaska undergraduate students to study outside Alaska while maintaining all the benefits of Alaska residency. Accepted WUE students pay a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating two- and four-year college programs outside Alaska.
Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP)
WRGP provides access to over 220 master’s and doctoral programs in all 15 WICHE states. Programs are selected based on quality and limited availability. Students admitted to the program pay resident tuition at WRGP institutions outside Alaska.
Find More Scholarships Now: Scholarships in Alaska and Beyond
If you’re looking for more college scholarships and grants, you can use the BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder. It’s free and can help you get started on the road to paying for your education. The scholarship database matches you with thousands of scholarships from all over the country, which you can easily sort through on your dashboard. You can also use our blog as a resource to help you create great scholarship applications. We are constantly adding new resources to help you find and win prizes. Scholarships are awarded throughout the year so check back during the academic year for updates.
Remember, while grants and scholarship opportunities can be difficult to find, they offer you a chance to win money for your education that you don’t have to pay back later. Whether you’re almost done high school or already a college student, this is a great deal. Get started on applying for scholarships today!
Original post here: How to Win Scholarships and Grants from the State of Alaska
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